French Studies

Description

Building upon a foundation of proficiency in the French language, concentrators in French Studies explore the culture, history, and literature of Francophone civilizations. Students select from a variety of courses in language, historical periods, genres, themes, major writers, film, and civilization. Students interested in living in a French environment often reserve rooms in the coed dormitory (Machado House) at 87 Prospect Street. A Resident Coordinator in French maintains a planned program of activities centered around French conversation, movies, lectures, and cooking. Study abroad opportunities are available in Paris, Lyon and other francophone countries. Most students are required to take a placement exam. See departmental website for details.

Student Goals

Students in this concentration will:

• Attain an interdisciplinary understanding of French and Francophone literatures and cultures
• Acquire advanced speaking and writing abilities in French
• Develop sophisticated analytical approaches to the study of texts in more than one period of French history
• Produce a body of critical work in French

Requirements

Click here for a list of the French Studies concentration requirements. For more information about this concentration, please visit the department's website.

Honors and Capstones

The French Literature and French Civilization tracks require a senior seminar as a capstone experience. Candidacy for Honors in French Studies assumes an excellent academic record (particularly in the major field) and the ability to work independently. Ordinarily, a candidate will have received no grade lower than an "A" in her/his concentration program.  The candidate will apply for admission to the Honors Program early in his or her seventh semester. Please see departmental website for a complete description of admission procedures and requirements.

Tracks

• French Civilization
• French Language
• French Literature

Liberal Learning

This concentration allows you to address the following Liberal Learning goals:

• Enhance your aesthetic sensibility
• Expand your reading skills
• Collaborate fully
• Understand differences among cultures
• Embrace Diversity
• Engage with your community
• Develop a facility with symbolic languages
• Learn what it means to study the past
• Evaluate human behavior
• Work on your speaking and writing

Download the full statement on Liberal Learning at Brown

Affiliated Departments

• Comparative Literature
• Language Studies

Advisors

• Thangam Ravindranathan

Graduating Class

Alumni Pathways

Concentrators have pursued careers in education as teachers and administrators (secondary and collegiate), translation, international relations and diplomacy. They have also sought careers in medicine, print journalism, and management consulting.

See more details on the CareerLAB website.